µTap Tempo Pedal User Guide

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the µTap Tempo Pedal. We really mean it. We value that you have placed your trust in our product, often based solely on what you see and hear on the internet. We hope to earn that trust by delivering a quality product that inspires you to make better music.

We do not ship paper User Guides with our products. We feel this wastes paper, when the same information is available here. Also, we update this User Guide from time to time and want you to have the most current version. If you would like a hard copy, you may use the link at the bottom of this page to print this User Guide.

Warning: This product contains parts that are sensitive to electro-static discharge (ESD). Removing the bottom cover may expose these parts to ESD, which can result in permanent damage and voids the warranty. For this reason, we strongly advise you not to remove the bottom cover or otherwise disassemble the pedal.

Connection

Connect the µTap to the Stereo Pedal using the included 3.5 mm TRS cable:

  1. Disconnect power to the Stereo Pedal
  2. Plug one end of the cable into the single jack on the µTap
  3. Plug the other end of the cable into the pedal's left-hand expression input (when viewed from the rear)
  4. Reconnect power to the Stereo Pedal

Power

The µTap is powered by a Stereo Pedal through its expression input. No other power supply is required.

Operation

Changing Time/Tempo

Start with the Time knob turned fully clockwise. Tap the µTap to the beat (quarter-note tempo). The µTap uses the time between successive taps to set the delay time of the pedal. You may tap as many times as you wish, but only the time between the last two taps is used.

You must tap the µTap at least two times to change the tempo. The two taps must be less than 1 second apart (greater than 60 BPM), because the maximum delay time is 1 second. The delay time will not change if:

  • you tap the µTap only once
  • you tap at less than 60 BPM, or more than 1 second elapses between taps

With stereo ping-pong echoes, the tap time will be the longer of the two echoes, which is the same as the time between repeats. This may be confusing, because the first echo will occur at an interval before the tap time—listen to the time between repeats, not the first echo.

Tempo Indication

The LED will flash the tempo. If the LED does not flash, then the µTap is disabled.

Disabling µTap

If you wish to disable µTap to use the Time knob setting:

  • Hold the foot switch down for at least 1 second. When the LED strobes, release the foot switch. µTap is now disabled.
  • Or, simply unplug µTap from the pedal

To re-enable µTap, tap in the new tempo.

Tempo Subdivisions

You can easily set the delay time to a fraction (subdivision) of the tempo to create rhythmic effects that align with the tempo. On the Echelon Stereo Echo, the marks around the Time knob indicate the time in fractions of the tapped (quarter-note) tempo. These fractions are equivalent to music tempo as follows:

  • 1 = quarter note (the tapped tempo)
  • 3/4 = dotted 8th note
  • 1/2 = 8th note
  • 1/3 = 8th-note triplet
  • 1/4 = 16th note
  • 1/6 = 16th-note triplet

Due to tolerance variations, the marks around the knob are approximate.

Specifications

Minimum Delay Time/Tempo 100 ms / 600 BPM
Maximum Delay Time/Tempo 1.0 s / 60 BPM
Power supplied by Stereo Pedal
Dimensions 1.4" W, 1.4" L, 1.4"H / 35 mm W, 35 mm L, 35 mm H
Weight (without cable) 1.0 oz / 29 g

*Specifications subject to change without notice.

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.